James J. Braddock


James Walter Braddock was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937.
Fighting under the name James J. Braddock, Braddock was known for his spoiling, counterpunching style, powerful right hand and his iron chin. He had lost several bouts due to chronic hand injuries and was forced to work on the docks and collect social assistance to feed his family during the Great Depression. He made a comeback, and in 1935 he fought Max Baer for the heavyweight title and won. For this unlikely feat he was given the nickname "Cinderella Man" by Damon Runyon. Braddock was managed by Joe Gould.

Early life

Braddock was born in Hell's Kitchen in New York City on West 48th Street. He moved to North Bergen, New Jersey at an early age. He was one of seven children being raised by immigrant parents; Irish mother Elizabeth O'Tool and Anglo-Irish father Joseph Braddock. He stated his life's early ambition was to play college football for Knute Rockne at the University of Notre Dame, though this did not come to pass, as he remarked that he had "more brawn than brains."

Career

Braddock pursued boxing, turning pro at the age of 21, fighting as a light heavyweight. His first fight in a ring occurred on November 27, 1923. After three years, Braddock's record was, with 21 knockouts.
In 1928, Braddock pulled off a major upset by knocking out highly regarded Tuffy Griffiths. The following year he earned a chance to fight for the title, but he narrowly lost to Tommy Loughran in a 15-round decision. Braddock was greatly depressed by the loss and badly fractured his right hand in several places in the process.
His next 33 fights were significantly less successful, with a record. With his family in poverty during the Great Depression, Braddock was forced to give up boxing and work as a longshoreman. Due to frequent injuries to his right hand, Braddock compensated by using his left hand during his longshoreman work, and it gradually became stronger than his right. He always remembered the humiliation of having to accept government relief money, but was inspired by the Catholic Worker Movement, a Christian social justice organization founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933 to help the homeless and hungry. After his boxing comeback, Braddock returned the welfare money he had received and made frequent donations to various Catholic Worker Houses, including feeding homeless guests with his family.

Max Baer fight

In 1934, Braddock was given a fight with the highly touted John "Corn" Griffin. Although Braddock was intended simply as a stepping stone in Griffin's career, he knocked out the "Ozark Cyclone" in the third round. Braddock then fought John Henry Lewis, a future light heavyweight champion. He won in one of the most important fights of his career. After defeating another highly regarded heavyweight contender, Art Lasky, whose nose he broke during the bout on March 22, 1935, Braddock was given a title fight against the World Heavyweight Champion, Max Baer.
Considered little more than a journeyman fighter, Braddock was hand-picked by Baer's handlers because he was seen as an easy payday for the champion, despite his recent impressive victories. Instead, on June 13, 1935, at Madison Square Garden Bowl, Braddock won the Heavyweight Championship of the World as the 10-to-1 underdog in what was called "the greatest fistic upset since the defeat of John L. Sullivan by Jim Corbett".
During the fight, a dogged Braddock took a few heavy hits from the powerful younger champion, but Braddock kept coming, wearing down Baer, who seemed perplexed by Braddock's ability to take a punch. In the end, the judges gave Braddock the title with a unanimous decision.

Heavyweight Champion

Braddock suffered from problems with his arthritic hands after injuries throughout his career and, in 1936, his title defense in Madison Square Garden against the German Max Schmeling was canceled under suspicious circumstances. Braddock argued he would have received only a US$25,000 purse against Schmeling, compared to $250,000 against rising star Joe Louis. There was also concern that if Schmeling won, the Nazi government would deny American fighters opportunities to fight for the title. Finally, American commentators had expressed opposition to the fight in light of the connections between Schmeling and Adolf Hitler, with whom the German fighter had been associated after his earlier victory over Louis.

Personal life

Braddock married Mae Fox in 1930 and the couple had three children, James Jr., Howard and Rosemarie.
Braddock enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and became a first lieutenant. He served in the Pacific theater on the island of Saipan, where he trained enlisted men in hand-to-hand combat.
Upon return, he worked as a marine equipment surplus supplier and helped construct the Verrazano Bridge in the early 1960s.

Death and legacy

After his death in 1974 at the age of 69, James J. Braddock was interred in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Tenafly, New Jersey. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park in North Bergen, New Jersey is named in his honor.
The 2005 biographical film Cinderella Man tells Braddock's story. Directed by Ron Howard, it stars Russell Crowe as Braddock and Renée Zellweger as his wife, Mae. The film had an estimated budget of $88 million and grossed $108.5 million worldwide. Crowe's performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Paul Giamatti, playing Braddock's manager Joe Gould, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The role of neighbor Sara Wilson was played by Rosemarie DeWitt, who is Braddock's real-life granddaughter. The film received mostly positive reviews.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
88Win52–26–7 Tommy FarrSD1021 Jan 1938 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
87Loss51–26–7 Joe LouisKO8 22 Jun 1937 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois,, U.S.Lost NBA, NYSAC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
86Win51–25–7 Max BaerUD1513 Jun 1935 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York, U.S.Won NBA, NYSAC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
85Win50–25–7 Art LaskyUD1522 Mar 1935 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
84Win49–25–7 John Henry LewisPTS1016 Nov 1934 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
83Win48–25–7 Corn GriffinTKO3, 2:3714 Jun 1934 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York, U.S.
8247–25–7 Abe FeldmanNC6 25 Sep 1933 Memorial Field Stadium, Mount Vernom, New York, U.S.
81Win47–25–7 Chester MatanPTS1021 Jul 1933 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
80Win46–25–7 Les KennedyPTS1021 June 1933 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
79Loss45–25–7 Al StillmanUD1019 May 1933 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
78Loss45–24–7 Martin LevandowskiMD105 Apr 1933 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
77Win45–23–7 Al StillmanTKO10 21 Mar 1933 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
76Loss44–23–7 Al EttoreDQ4 1 Mar 1933 Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
75Loss44–22–7 Hans BirkiePTS1020 Jan 1933 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
74Win44–21–7 Martin LevandowskiPTS1013 Jan 1933 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S., U.S.
73Loss43–21–7 Lou ScozzaTKO6 9 Nov 1932 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
72Loss43–20–7 Tom PatrickPTS1021 Oct 1932 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
71Win43–19–7 Dynamite JacksonPTS1030 Sep 1932 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
70Loss42–19–7 John Henry LewisPTS1021 Sep 1932 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, U.S.
69Loss42–18–7 Tony ShuccoPTS825 July 1932 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York, U.S.
68Win42–17–7 Vicente ParrilePTS521 Jun 1932 Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York, U.S.
67Loss41–17–7 Charley RetzlaffSD1013 May 1932 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
66Loss41–16–7 Baxter CalmesUD1018 Mar 1932 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S., U.S.
65Loss41–15–7 Al GainerPTS104 Dec 1931 New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
6441–14–7 Maxie RosenbloomNC2, 2:4310 Nov 1931 Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
63Loss41–14–7 Joe SekyraPTS109 Oct 1931 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
62Draw41–13–7 Andy MitchellPTS103 Sep 1931 Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
61Win41–13–6 Jack KellyPTS1030 Mar 1931 New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
60Win40–13–6 Jack RoperKO1, 1:085 Mar 1931 Madison Square Garden Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
59Loss39–13–6 Ernie SchaafSD1023 Jan 1931 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
58Win39–12–6 Phil MercurioKO2 19 Sep 1930 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
57Loss38–12–6 Babe HuntPTS1011 Aug 1930 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
56Win38–11–6 Joe MontePTS102 Jul 1930 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
55Loss37–11–6 Harold MaysPTS105 Jun 1930 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
54Loss37–10–6 Billy JonesUD107 Apr 1930 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
53Loss37–9–6 Leo LomskiSD1017 Jan 1930 Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
52Win37–8–6 Jake WarrenKO2 7 Dec 1929 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
51Loss36–8–6 Maxie RosenbloomPTS1015 Nov 1929 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
50Loss36–7–6 Yale OkunPTS1027 Aug 1929 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
49Loss36–6–6 Tommy LoughranUD1518 Jul 1929 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.For NYSAC, and lineal light-heavyweight titles
48Win36–5–6 Eddie BensonKO1 22 Apr 1929 Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
47Win35–5–6 Jimmy SlatteryTKO9 11 Mar 1929 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
46Win34–5–6 George GemasKO1 4 Feb 1929 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
45Loss33–5–6 Leo LomskiMD1018 Jan 1929 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
44Win33–4–6 Tuffy GriffithsTKO2, 1:4030 Nov 1928 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
43Win32–4–6 Pete LatzoPTS1017 Oct 1928 Newark Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
42Loss31–4–6 Joe SekyraPTS108 Aug 1928 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
41Draw31–3–6 Nando TassiPTS1025 Jul 1928 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
40Draw31–3–5 Billy VidabeckNWS1027 Jun 1928 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
39Loss31–3–4 Joe MontePTS107 Jun 1928 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
38Win31–2–4 Jimmy FrancisNWS1016 May 1928 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
37Win30–2–4 Jack DarnellKO4 7 May 1928 Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
36Win29–2–4 Paul SwiderskiPTS86 Jan 1928 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
35Draw28–2–4 Joe MontePTS107 Oct 1927 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
34Loss28–2–3 Herman HellerNWS1031 Aug 1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
33Win28–1–3 Vic McLaughlinNWS1010 Aug 1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win27–1–3 George LaRoccoUD621 Jul 1927 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.
31Win26–1–3 Jimmy FrancisNWS1013 Jul 1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
30Win25–1–3 Jimmy FrancisNWS108 Jun 1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
29Loss24–1–3 Paul CavalierNWS1027 May 1927 Arcola Park, Paramus, New Jersey, U.S.
28Draw24–0–3 George LaRoccoPTS1020 May 1927 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.
27Win24–0–2 Jack StoneNWS1011 May 1927 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
26Win23–0–2 Stanley SimmonsTKO1, 2:322 May 1927 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
25Win22–0–2 Frankie LennonTKO3 19 Apr 1927 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24Win21–0–2 Jack O'DayKO3 22 Mar 1927 Union City, New Jersey, U.S.
23Win20–0–2 Tom McKiernanKO2 15 Mar 1927 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
22Win19–0–2 Nick FadilPTS68 Mar 1927 Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
21Win18–0–2 Lou BarbaPTS43 Mar 1927 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
20Win17–0–2 Jack NelsonUD615 Feb 1927 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
19Win16–0–2 Johnny AlbertsKO4 1 Feb 1927 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18Win15–0–2 George LaRoccoKO1, 1:1228 Jan 1927 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win14–0–2 Tom McKiernanTKO3 13 Jan 1927 Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Draw13–0–2 Doc ConradNWS420 Dec 1926 4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win13–0–1 Joe HudsonPTS68 Dec 1926 Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
14Win12–0–1 Al SettlePTS64 Dec 1926 Walker A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
1311–0–1 Willie DalyNC1 18 Nov 1926 Floral Park Arena, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win11–0–1 Lou BarbaPTS612 Nov 1926 Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
11Win10–0–1 Jack O'DayKO1 27 Oct 1926 Stanley Theater, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–0–1 Carmine CaggianoKO1, 0:4930 Sep 1926 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win8–0–1 Ray KennedyKO1 16 Sep 1926 Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win7–0–1 Mike RockKO1, 1:0513 Sep 1926 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win6–0–1 Gene TraversKO1, 0:247 Sep 1926 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win5–0–1 Walter WestmanTKO3 9 Jul 1926 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win4–0–1 Jim Pearson2 28 Jun 1926 Oakland Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win3–0–1 Lee DobsonKO1 18 Jun 1926 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win2–0–1 Phil Weisberger11 May 1926 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
2Win1–0–1 George Deschner2 22 Apr 1926 Knights of Columbus, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, U.S.
1Draw0–0–1 Al Settle413 Apr 1926 Amsterdam Hall, Union City, New Jersey, U.S.